Astute observers have already figured out that the Reger/Haydn/Schubert program requires no trombones, so if I were a betting man (and I am) who happened to be interested in seeing Mr. Sipher perform with the LA Phil (me again), I’d probably make plans for the other two programs.

Mr. Sipher became Principal Trombone of the Richmond Symphony earlier this year. Prior to that, he held the same position with the Syracuse Symphony and the Virginia Symphony. He did his undergraduate work at James Madison University, where he received a degree in music education with a minor in Jazz Studies, and followed that up with a Master’s degree in trombone performance from Yale University. He was also a New World Symphony fellow.

On his website, he talks about playing in ska bands in high school “culminating in a brief stint on the Van’s Warped Tour” and lists among his career highlights the chance to play with the rock band CAKE in 2009 — both of which, frankly, makes me root for the guy on general principles. Good luck to him during his trial weeks.

BTW: For those you of you unfamiliar with CAKE’s oeuvre, I’d say “Never There” and “The Distance” are my favorite songs, but “Short Skirt/Long Jacket” is my favorite video . . .

Actually, Mr. Sipher was there playing guest principal trombone at the Dec 7th (Sun) matinee. No word yet on whether or not he was offered the position. Will post an update as soon as I know and can share.

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